SINGAPORE - Don't be surprised if you see the likes of the Esplanade or Marina Bay Sands "turning purple" near the end of October.

Twelve landmark buildings here will be lit up in purple for a week in support of people with disabilities.

This is a new feature of The Purple Parade, an annual disability movement taking place on Nov 5. Now in its fourth year, the parade, which will go from Hong Lim Park to the external grounds of Suntec City, is to celebrate people with special needs.

Ms Denise Phua, adviser to the Purple Parade committee and Mayor of Central Singapore District, said: "Bringing the Purple Parade to the city district signifies a new peak for the special needs movement."

Persons with special needs are "an integral part of our big Singapore family and must always remain in the main chapters of the Singapore story", she said at a media briefing at Suntec City on Tuesday (Oct 11).

Organisers are expecting a turn-out of 10,000 people this year. About 120 organisations, including schools, companies, voluntary welfare organisations and special needs groups, are involved in this year's event.

A contingent of 2,000 participants will march across Suntec City's outdoor area for the parade. There will also be 30 performing groups, and 30 carnival stalls offering food, goods and games. Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shamugaratnam will attend the parade as the guest of honour.

This year's event also features 12 ambassadors from the special needs community, including para-athlete Jason Chee and Pathlight student See Toh Sheng Jie, who designed the dinosaur pouch that Mrs Lee Hsien Loong, wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, had taken to the White House during a diplomatic visit.